National Republican., 1887-08-30
CLERKS EARLY CLOSING.
sPURRING UP THE WEAK KNEED To
STAND FIRM.
The Large Stores Not Complained OF.
but the smaller ones Keep Open
support of tho knights of Labor
Given tho Movement.

Hilton Hall, at Seventh and d streets
northwest. was about half filled last night
with gentlemen interested in the early clos
ing Of our stores. The meeting was called
by Clerks Assembly No. 6451, X. OF L. e
NJ. Blake presided, with II. G. Trader as
secretary. The former stated that the meet
ing was called for the purpose OF trying to
assist the clerks In their efforts for shorter
hours.
Master Workman +. M. Uambetou all
dressed the assemblsge, and said that he had
been n clerk for sixteen years, aud had seen
the ups and downs OF clerks life. Whether
the stores shall continue on short hours or
not clerks life is not a happy one any.
way. He never knows when his work is
over, for while the stores are supposed to
close at O'Clock the clerks have TO remain
often until or o'clock to put away their
goods. Long hours, he said, tended to
shorten clerks life. For the past two years
most Of the stores have closed at o'clock,
but there are merchants who still adhere to
the old hours. What the clerks wanted was
the entire suspension Of business at
O'Clock, and until that is accomplished they
would not be entirely satisfied. Ho said
the people Of the Distric. could
early in the day and he hoped all would do
It. There were o largo number OF mer
chants who favored early closing and he
was anxiously awaiting the day when they
would all come Into line. He could not see
the reason why clerks should be compelled
to work such long hours for the benefit Of
the few stragglere who might chance to be
out late at night. With reference to the
clerks who have weakened and left the
others to work out the problem OF early
closing, he appealed TO them Co come back
into the fold. He believed II all worked IN
harmony from this time on, success would
crown their efforts.
Mr.. Paul Il. Bowen, Of District Assembly
CO, was the next speaker. He said from a
humanitarian point Of view he could not
see why any one was not interested In the
early closing movement. From purely
business standpoint he could not see why
any one should oppose the movement; any
business that was done now can DO done In
shorter time to advantage to all.
IL was not the large stores that were
keeping open late, but the little ones, hold
ing on by their eyeliis. 1t would b.
economy to all concerned II the early
closing movement was universal. He de.
MED that the early closing movement had
had its backsets just like other reforms
The Knights Of Labor, he said, were not
only engaged In having earlier hours, but
they proposed to secure for the clerks the
full value OF their services for the time
they remain in the store. He upbraided
the government clerks because Of their lack
Of interest in the early closing movement
"There is another class, said the speaker
"the little fellows who conduct their bust
ness (thin bars) behind starch boxes, who
keep open late, and who are, therefore, op
posed to this movement. To these let u:
say that unless you close your rum mill
or grocery, as they call it--you won't gel
any license next year.
1t Is quite as necessary for these fellow
TO get the signatures of clerks who live OF
the square with them in order to obtair
their licenses as 1t is for them to get tn,
signature Of any one else. / would trea
these fellows who keep open late to catct
belated customers as / would skunk-le
| them alone. A man who Is so besotteC
with the love Of gain as to sit on his door
step all night is not free man; he is slave
| to his avarice. We have got to teach thes,
people that II they keep open we will keeT
out"
Messrs. August Donath, 8. T. Broclsbank
made addresses.
The committee on resolutions, consisting
OF L. w. Oyster, E. w. Hambleton, Georg,
Bartlett, Joseph Steiner, and p. j. McCul
Tough, brought in the following:
| Whereas number of merchants have faile,
| to close at o'clock as per agreement; ant
whereas the effect is Injurious to dealer
who desire to close; and whereas 1t has tn
effect of working the clerks until an hou
| which deprvcs them Of the society of thei
| families and of time that might be employed
| in mental culture and social enjoyment; there
| fore be 1t
Resolved, That we as citizens OF the Distric
10 the clerks IN their Efforts for shorter hour
and respectfully recommend that tho citizen
| generally abstain from purchasing later thai
Up. M, thereby showing their sympathy 70
| the clerks In their laudable efforts to improv
their condition.